The vote winner for our Halloween Feature is more interested in its (now somewhat dated) special effects than in, you know, being a good movie in any particular way, unfortunately.
Category Archives: HorrorFest 2021
DRACULA (1931)
The vampire movie from which all others are descended, Bela Lugosi’s very specific performance and many creepy gothic visuals overcome its period limitations.
THE EVIL DEAD (1981)
One of the goriest movies you’ll ever see, made on a very skinny shoestring by a bunch of friends, which seems to ask “what would be most disturbing at this moment?” and then do that.
LA MASCHERA DEL DEMONIO (1960)
A seminal Italian horror classic that takes whatever you think of when you hear the word “gothic” and is way more gothic than that.
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956)
A classic of Cold War paranoia that still rings true today, about our friends, loved ones, and neighbors turning out not to be who they seem. Also there are giant plant pods from outer space.
CAT PEOPLE (1942)
Definitely the best movie ever made about were-panthers, it is remarkably effective at building tension using mostly shadows, sound design, and weird sexual undertones.
HOUSE (1977)
A serious candidate for the most insane movie I’ve ever seen, involving seven Japanese schoolgirls who get um, eaten by furniture? And other stuff. Also there’s an evil (but very fluffy) telekinetic cat.
DAS CABINET DES DR.CALIGARI (1920)
This was one of the earliest horror movies and depicted a world like the dream of an insane person.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)
The most surreal and highbrow of slasher movies, it jumpstarted a major studio and gave the world Johnny Depp exploding into a fountain of blood.
THE HAUNTING (1963)
Horrorfest ’21 begins with this classic haunted house story that steadfastly refuses to show us any ghosts or really tell us what’s going on.
Movie Valhalla 